Ave Marie (Short Film)

Help us raise the $15,000 so that the New Zealand Film Commission match us dollar for dollar and we can reach our $30,000 target!

AVE MARIE 

I am Celestina Sumby the writer and director of the short film Ave Marie, a small slice of my childhood - a gender-bending coming-of-age story about being different, standing up to bullies, and using dance to escape while living under the judgemental eye of God. It is a true-life fairy-tale set in 1980s Aotearoa suburbia.

Being different and growing up can be painful, often hope, laughter, make believe and dance is all you’ve got.

Don't cry, just dance.

Join the Ave Marie crew and help us to build an epic 80s dance battle on the suburban streets of Paekakariki Aotearoa.

The story  

Set in 1984 suburban Aotearoa, Ave Marie is about adopted siblings Marie and Xavier who use dance as a way to escape the day-to-day reality of their mother’s religious rants and the neighbourhood bullies. While tough and unforgiving Xavier insists on putting himself front and centre of every dance routine and fighting the local BMX gang for his right to wear spandex, Marie decides she wants her chance to shine too. When their staunchly Catholic mother leaves the kids home alone again, Marie finally gets her chance.

With the help of a little faith and a kick arse soundtrack, Marie sets out to help her brother take the BMX gang head on in a dance battle that will bring their ongoing fights to a climatic end, and unite where fists couldn’t through the power of dance.

We need you!

All or nothing - Match Funding

Ave Marie is a New Zealand Film Commission Fresh Shorts funded short film with a $15,000 budget. We're asking you for an additional $15,000 and using match funding so that every donation we receive the NZFC matches, hence our target of $30,000.

Our Boosted funding is all-or-nothing. All donors will receive a credit in the film and an invitation to our 80s dance party, taking place in Paekakariki on the 5 November. For more information on the party time and location please email avemarie2022@gmail.com. All donations qualify for a 33% tax rebate for New Zealand donors. 

Creating a dance battle.

Ave Marie is a small but big film, a period piece set in the 1980s, which includes a dance battle, complete with an original hip hop soundtrack. We need another $15,000 to make our dance battle. Your donation will go towards our incredible choreographer, composers, a full day shooting crew and equipment and a crane - yes, we are attempting a Dirty Dancing lift! 

Why Ave Marie?

Ave Marie is for all the queer kids that were gay before it was legal in New Zealand, and those who still live in fear today, for all the kids that have been bullied for being different, those childhoods haunted by images of Jesus on the cross and burning in hell, the kids that were never good enough to be in the front row, the adoring younger siblings, the exasperated older ones, and those kids and adults who believe in the power of dance to heal, escape and ultimately unite.

Behind the story…

I was the first and youngest child in my family, adopted at two weeks. When I was two-years-old my brother Robert was adopted from the Home of Compassion orphanage at the age of six. Robert became my brother and my best friend, partner in dance, dress-ups, neighbourhood battles, prayer, and make believe. I was his support act. He was Barbie, I was Ken. 

WATCH ME: Ave Marie Teaser

Special thanks to the Ave Marie teaser crew - DOP Chris Matthews and assistant Philip Copley, Editor Ben Powdrell, Composer Paul Dodge, Production Designers Kate Logan and John Cruickshanks and our two young actors, Frida Morley-Hall and Noah Dunlop.

It takes a village to raise a film.

We are so fortunate to have such an experienced and talented crew on Ave Marie. Here are just a few of our wonderful collaborators. 

Executive Producer - Francesca Carney

Executive Producer - Thomas Coppell

Producer - Sabina Wallis

Cinematographer - Matt Henley 

Production Designers - John Cruickshanks, Kate Logan 

Acting Coach - Ella Gilbert 

Choreographer - Braedyn Togi 

Composers - Paul Dodge, Leilani Sio  

Editor - Ben Powdrell 

VFX - Philip Copley 

Communications - Krystle Field

The Cast 

Siblings, Marie and Xavier - Annabelle Webb and Shanwen Tan 

BMX Crew - Frida Morley-Hall, Max Benefield, Camilo Leo'o, Roshaniah Leo'o

If you believe in the power of dance to heal and ultimately unite then donate today!